Nasal Abrasion Protector

ABSTRACT

A flexible nasal protection strip for use by cold and allergy suffers who, as part of their condition, must continually blow their nose with tissues. The protection strip consists of a die-cut strip of medical grade clear, colored or imprinted plastic with adhesive on one side that is temporarily protected by a peelable film. The protection strip is flexible enough to conform to the nose but not interfere with breathing. The unique design protects the exterior sidewalls and tip of the nose from the habitual abrasion caused by excessive tissue rubbing. The protection strip could also be impregnated with a variety of compounds including: compressed iron oxides and salts to produce chemically-based heat protecting the nose from damage in extreme cold and chemicals or metals offering ultraviolet radiation protection.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to bandage design and ornamental adhesive skin patches

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Angled away from the human face, the nose is more vulnerable to additional exposures and irritations. Ultraviolet radiation and cold temperatures are enhanced due to the nose's angle and resulting distance from warmer parts of the body. The common cold and certain allergies produce excessive mucus (runny nose) which is evacuated using handkerchiefs and tissues resulting in repeated nasal rubbing.

Minimizing ultraviolet exposure includes molded hard plastic coverings connected to eyeglasses (site patents) or lotions and sprays containing various sun protection factor (SPF) formulas (site patents). Maintaining nasal warmth involves a cup/cone held in place by a strap around the head (site patents) or garments (hats) that cover the entire head (site patents).

Excessive nasal drainage, symptoms of the common cold virus or certain allergic reactions, is typically expelled into handkerchiefs or tissues. However, the repeated, ongoing abrasive action causes the nose to become irritated, inflamed and swollen. Facial tissue manufacturers strive for softer products to minimize irritation, but friction can't be eliminated. Other external nasal devices are manufactured and positioned on the nose to reduce snoring by opening nasal passages (site patents). No simple and inexpensive solution currently exists to protect the nose in a variety of settings and those protection devices heretofore known suffer from a number of disadvantages:

Disadvantages

-   1. Cold-weather nasal warming and ultraviolet radiation protection     devices are bulky and unsightly making their use outside extreme     conditions rare. -   2. Lotions and sprays for ultraviolet radiation protection are messy     and have decreasing efficacy during long periods of use. -   3. Tissues and handkerchiefs control excess mucus evacuation     resulting from the common cold or allergic reactions, but their     repeated use results in nasal irritation, inflammation and pain     while increasing overall discomfort. -   4. External snoring control devices are expensive to manufacture and     are not designed to provide nasal protection.

Advantages

Accordingly several advantages of one or more aspects are as follows: to provide nasal protection from ultraviolet radiation, extreme cold and the friction caused by facial tissue use that are inexpensive to manufacture, that are minimally designed and unobtrusive, that are wearable all day, that transfer irritating friction away from the nose, that produce heat, that deflect ultraviolet radiation and that maintain SPF coverage when exposed to moisture.

Other advantages of one or more aspects will be apparent from the consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION (Summary of Main Claim)

In accordance with one embodiment a nasal protector comprises a die-cut protector shaped and dimensioned, to cover the lower exterior sidewalls, bridge and tip of the nose that is temporarily protected prior to use by a second, peelable film applied to the back of the protector.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a top view of the protector according to one of the embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the protector with the insertion of a heating layer;

FIG. 3 is a back perspective view of the protector showing the adhesive layer;

FIG. 4 illustrates the protector's placement on the nose from the side angle; and

FIG. 5 illustrates the protector's placement on the nose from the front of the face.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawing, there is shown in FIG. 1 a die-cut slug made from a choice of transparent, colored or patterned medical-grade plastic film such as polyethylene such as those available from 3M of St. Paul, Minnesota or MACtac of Stow, Ohio. Alternatively, the slug may be made of multi-layered air-permeable polyethylene, sandwiching a polypropylene bag containing heat generating iron powder, salt and water to warm the nose such as those available from Aloha Industrial Co. Ltd. of Jiangsu, China or Junten Keep-Warm Products Co., Ltd. of Kunshan, China.

The protector (1) is designed to wrap around the lower portion of the nose covering the sides (2), lower bridge (3) and tip (4). The protector (1) may be fitted with a polypropylene bag (5) containing heat producing compounds as shown in FIG. 2. The protector's (1) adhesive backing (6) is protected by a peelable film (7) prior to use as shown in FIG. 3. After having peeled the film (7), the user simply applies the protector to their nose as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5.

The thickness of the protector should not exceed 3 mils. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 2, the addition of a heating element would require a change to the substrate material from translucent polyethylene to a flesh colored adhesive fabric which should not exceed 15 mils.

These dimensions yield a strong and flexible protector while maintaining the lowest visible profile. 

1. A nasal protector that comprises: a. a slug of die-cut synthetic adhesive-backed material shaped and dimensioned to cover the lower portion of the sides, bridge and tip of the human nose, said slug having a unique design and thickness of no more than 3 to 15 mils; and a means of securing the slug to the nose.
 2. The structure of claim 1, wherein said means for securing comprise: a. an adhesive-backed material protected by a peelable film prior to use
 3. The structure of claim 1, wherein said means for addition of localized heating comprise: a. the sandwiching a heat generating iron powder, salt and water compound within an air permeable, flesh-colored adhesive-backed polypropylene die-cut material.
 4. The structure of claim 1, wherein said material is a polyethylene.
 5. The structure of claim 1, wherein said material is a polyurethane.
 6. The structure of claim 1, wherein said material is a polypropylene.
 7. The structure of claim 1, wherein said material is an adhesive-backed woven fabric.
 8. The structure of claim 1, wherein said material includes a fragrant essence.
 9. The structure of claim 1, wherein said material includes a pharmaceutical or therapeutic compound or essence. 